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PSL 2018 Team Preview : Time for Lahore Qalandars to lift themselves

The Qalandars from Lahore will need to do something very special to defy odds and make it to the semi-finals stage in PSL 3.

The 2 editions of the Pakistan Super League could well be described as a bit of a nightmare for the Lahore Qalandars. Finishing bottom in both tournaments was a shock to not only the Lahori fans but also to the owners. The Rana brothers have invested heavily in the Qalandars franchise and will have expected better results from the team and the coaching staff.

As a result of the poor displays in the first two competitions, Paddy Upton the head coach has been shown the door and replaced with a familiar face to Lahore cricket, Aaqib Javed. The former Pakistan pace bowler will be expected to produce immediate results given the passion and expectations of cricket-lovers in Lahore.

The Lahore Qalandars squad will once again be led by Brendon McCullum. The former New Zealand skipper has at his disposal an array of stars and match-winners, but he needs to find the right combination, something they struggled to do last time around. The top of the order combination of McCullum, Chris Lynn and Fakhar Zaman looks as good as any in the tournament, but they will need better support from the middle order. Umar Akmal has throughout his career promised much, but delivered rarely; this edition of the PSL gives him the ideal platform to once again win over Pakistani cricket fans and selectors alike. The rest of the middle order will not give too many sleepless nights to the opposition bowlers and can best be described as steady rather than spectacular.

To say the Lahore Qalandars batting will rely on their top 3 is an understatement. The selection policy of the Lahore management and think-tank seems to have gone array with the emphasis seeming to be on the bowling attack rather than an effective batting group. Bilal Asif and Cameron Delport could have their work cut out if early wickets fall. Sohail Akhtar could be a plus for the Qalandars if given a fair share of opportunities. He has already shown in domestic circles that he has the ability to clear the boundary on a regular basis and could impress if he can find his best form.

The all-rounders for Lahore Qalandars see Aamer Yamin who showed glimpses of his ability for Pakistan in New Zealand recently and Bilawal Bhatti who is out of favour for Pakistan but will be keen to show the national selectors he can still mix it with the best. Yamin will need to have a big tournament if Lahore are to reach the latter stages of the tournament. His ability with the bat and ball cannot be doubted but the pressure of being one of Lahore's key players may be a very tough burden for him.

The strength of this Lahore Qalandars squad is undoubtedly its bowling line-up. In Sunil Narine and Mustafizur Rahman, the Qalandars have two bowlers who can single-handedly win a match. Add to these two internationals, the likes of Sohail Khan, Yasir Shah and Imran Khan jr. and one can see why the opposition batting line-ups may struggle to score heavily against McCullum's team. In addition, the return to cricket of the excellent Raza Hasan after a drugs ban, gives Lahore another match-winning bowler and if conditions favour spin, then there is no better combination of spinners in the third PSL than the trio of Narine, Shah and Hasan.

Perhaps the cricketer who will attract the most attention in the Pakistan Super League and whose performances will be the most eagerly anticipated is the tall pace bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi. The teenager is an impressive acquisition by Lahore and Afridi even impressed Indian great Rahul Dravid recently at the Under 19 World Cup. To get the chance to play under the watchful eye of a wily old professional like Brendon McCullum will be a huge boost to Afridi, who many believe is not too far away from an international call-up. The PSL will present Afridi with an opportunity to further enhance a growing reputation, although expectations should be realistic.

Prediction: An improvement from the previous 2 tournaments but unlikely to reach the semi-finals.

Player to watch: Shaheen Shah Afridi - a good showing for Shaheen and the selectors may call him up to the national squad quicker than expected. Pace, hostility and the ability to swing the ball sees fans licking their lips at this young man's ability.

Very unsettled team. McCullum has been disappointing as a batsman let alone as a captain.
Some very good names in the squad but almost the whole team is inconsistent, very hit or miss team. I think they will not finish last this season.

For Lahore Qalandars their automatic starters are: Baz, Lynn and Narine.
Whilst Mustafizur Rehman is there, he will be an almost automatic selection.
Within these 4 and Umar Akmal and Fakhar Zaman they already have a set of match winners.

I reckon they can make the semis this year, if they get the team balance right

Since Inzamam is now part of the franchise, i am sure he will inject freshness into the team and whole team will be inspired and motivated by his presence, which will ultimately result in better results for Lahore Qalandars

Since Inzamam is now part of the franchise, i am sure he will inject freshness into the team and whole team will be inspired and motivated by his presence, which will ultimately result in better results for Lahore Qalandars

If Chris Lynn doesn't make it Lahore Qalandars team bcz of injury today then it will be a huge huge loss....
Although lots of T20 specialists of Australia are free during and can join Qalandars, but Lynn will be a huge loss to PSL as well

Cricket Australia has confirmed that T20 batsmen Chris Lynn, will return to Brisbane to undergo further assessment after he dislocated his right shoulder midway through New Zealand's innings on Wednesday at Eden Park whilst diving to field the ball.

“Chris dislocated his right shoulder after landing awkwardly on it when fielding the ball. His shoulder was able to be put back into place at the ground and he was consequently sent for X-Rays which revealed no major bone injury.

“At this stage Chris will not travel to the Pakistan Super League in Dubai. He will return to Brisbane to undergo further scans and assessment and from there we will have a better understanding of the ongoing management, along with the return to play timeframes.”
Speaking on his injury, Lynn said: “I’m disappointed to not go to the Pakistan Super League as planned, but I’ll now focus on rehabilitation and working as hard as I can, with the hope to still take part in the Indian Premier League later this year.”

Who should replace him? Money on stake is around $220,000 which isnt a small amount by any means.
May be Maxwell can be attracted or Munro (He wouldnt have liked being in Diamond). Also Miller is available as he isnt part of the test squad of SA.

Stoinis, Warner or Finch are also good options if they can skip Shield

Warner will be playing in the test series versus South Africa and if he was avaliable I seriously doubt he would play in the PSL when it's so close to the IPL. Also you mentioned Munro, he will be playing against England at the time of the PSL.

Warner will be playing in the test series versus South Africa and if he was avaliable I seriously doubt he would play in the PSL when it's so close to the IPL. Also you mentioned Munro, he will be playing against England at the time of the PSL.

Finch, Maxwell, Stoinis and Short are contracted shield players. Why should WA (Stoinis and Short) for instance let a contracted player play for another team during our season?

Pakistan fans think it's so easy to recruit players. I am certain that if you didn't make yourself avaliable for the original draft you can't be signed up now anyway . So none of these players could be signed up as they weren't avaliable for the original draft.

Pakistan fans think it's so easy to recruit players. I am certain that if you didn't make yourself avaliable for the original draft you can't be signed up now anyway . So none of these players could be signed up as they weren't avaliable for the original draft.

Its possible to put them in Draft later on. Jofra Archer wasn't in original Draft and yet Quetta managed to pick him later on in replacement draft.

Its possible to put them in Draft later on. Jofra Archer wasn't in original Draft and yet Quetta managed to pick him later on in replacement draft.

Those Australian players didn't make themself avaliable for either draft. Also @Convict said they are contracted shield players. They will choose the shield over PSL. It's a fantasy that they will play in PSL unfortunately.

Those Australian players didn't make themself avaliable for either draft. Also @Convict said they are contracted shield players. They will choose the shield over PSL. It's a fantasy that they will play in PSL unfortunately.

Got your point. I have a feeling LQ would sign Jimmy Neesham in love of Baz. I want a better player though.

Those Australian players didn't make themself avaliable for either draft. Also @Convict said they are contracted shield players. They will choose the shield over PSL. It's a fantasy that they will play in PSL unfortunately.

I am not sure whats the rule regarding it. Anways Short was never in contention initially. It was just after his BBL performance and selection in Australian T20 squad which has made him popular. So he was never considered for the draft I guess

I am not sure whats the rule regarding it. Anways Short was never in contention initially. It was just after his BBL performance and selection in Australian T20 squad which has made him popular. So he was never considered for the draft I guess

Players make themselves available for the draft . Franchises don't make players avaliable lol.

If Yasir is not performing well then Raza should come in the start eleven. When Mustafizur leaves maybe Bhatti should play and Delport as well.

I would never play Yamin or even select for any format and any team. That guy is 5'5", bowls at 125, there is no upside to him ever, why anybody would select such a pedestrian player??

LQ is most poorly planned team, first they played Yamen ahead of Sohail Khan which was again bad decision. Playing three specialist spinners, what is the thought process?? Then they started with left arm spinner against Sanga, why in the world you will start with a spinner against both asian openers?? - Why you will give second over to Yamin?? - In UAE first 3/4 overs are key, you got to start with Tier 1 bowlers

Secondly, Lahore is not playing any proper batsman who can hold the innings. Baz, Fakhir, UK, Lynn are all power player, have same temperament, you need variety, atleast one guy who can hold things together. Who is that guy in the team??

There preparation is more emotional than substantive, what is the point of long supporting staff, if there is no thought process behind it :

If you want to do things that are certain to succeed, you are doing very obvious thing - E Musk